Apparatus for producing illusory dramatic effects



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

Y J. W. KNELL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSORY DRAMATIC EFFECTS.

No. 418,872. Patented Dec. 31, 1889;

PRIVATE BOX RCHE TRA WZZWESSES [WE/VITO? flliorney N. PETERS. Phawumo nh r, Washinglon, D4 0.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J'. W. KNELL. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSORY DRAMATIC EFFECTS. No.418,372. Patented Dec. 31, 18 89.

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JAMES \V. KNELL, OF HIGHLANDS, NEYV JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSORY DRAMATIC EFFECTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 418,372, dated December31, 1889.

Application filed May 3, 1889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES IV. KNELL, of Highlands, in the county ofMonmouth and. State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Producing Illusory Dramatic Effects, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description, whereby anyone skilled in the art can make and use the same.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a stage, showingan embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same and invertical section through the floor and one carriage. Fig. 3 is a detailperspective View of the carriage. Fig. 4 is a detail end view of thecarriage. Fig. 5 is a detail View, in central lengthwise section, of thecarriage. Fig. 6 is a detail view, on enlarged scale, in section of alag and in elevation of a part of the roll of a carriage-support.

The object of my invention is to provide means for enabling the effectof a race or contest of speed between animals or men to be produced upona limited length of floor-space, as on the stage of a theater; and tothis end my invention consists in the device and means for supportingthe racers and for moving them relatively; and it further consists inthe combination, with such means and device, of the peculiar background,as more particularly hereinafter described and pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter a denotes a floor, as of astage, through which there is cut an opening I) of any desired lengthand width. This opening is preferably located in a directionsubstantially parallel to the front of the stage; but it may be placedat any desired angle therewith that maybe necessary to aid in producingthe effect sought. In the opening is located a carriage d, supported onthe tracks 0 on wheels (1, fitting upon the tracks and enabling thecarriage to be moved along back and forth in the direction of the openinThe carriage supports an endless path 6, supported 011 rollers 6 eSerial No. 309,520. (No model.)

at a height best adapted for supporting the animal, as a horse, that isplaced upon the endless path on the carriage. nection f has a shortlength of chain orswivel, as preferred, and to it is secured the girthor supporting-strap g, as by means of a snaphook. By means of thisdevice or equivalent means of attachment to the carriage the horse orother animal may be held in a fixed position so far as the carriage isconcerned, while it is prevented from moving lengthwise off thecarriage, although making violent movements, as in running, to producethe rapid-motion of the endless path. A chain or rope h is secured tothe carriage and led over pulleys h to the Windlass 2', by means ofwhich the carriage, while supporting considerable weight, may be drawnalong on the track to the extent of the opening through thefloor.

Any desired number of carriages (Z or similar structures can be arrangedside by side in the opening, and to each carriage a like rope or chainis connected and conducted over a supported Windlass, so that therelative position of the two carriages may be de termined at will. Asthe position of the animal is fixed so that it is not changed withreference to the length of the carriage, the change of the position ofthe carriage causes a change in therelat-ive position of the animalsborne thereon, and by regulating the relative position of the carriagesat the time when the animals are in active motion, as running, thesemblance of a race or contest of speed between the animals is produced.

In order to aid in the effect produced and also to cover the opening, aflexible apron d is secured to the opposite ends of each carriage, andeach'extends over rollers al close to the extreme ends of the opening,and then turns downward and bears a weight (1 or are provided withequivalent means of keeping the flexible covering extended while thecarriage is moving backward and forward on the tracks. hen the carriageis mounted on rails on the stage, this flexible apron is not the stageto conceal.

In order to aid in the illusory effect, I make use of a compoundpanoramic scene made up A flexible con- I required, as there is then noopening through IOO length, arranged so that this background is placedin the rear, somewhat in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings. This panoramic scene, displayed on canvas of dif-' ferentheights, is of course properly located with reference to the rest of thestage, so as to form a suitable background for the incident to beillustrated by the moving figures that are placed on the carriage orcarriages.

In a prior patent I have shown and described an apparatus in which anendless path, fixed in its position with relation to the stage, isembodied, while the animal, as a horse, is held by means that enable itsposition to be changedthat is, allow it to have a progressive movementalong the path. In my within-described device and-apparatus the positionof the animal with relation to the carriage supporting the endless pathis substantially fixed, (within certain limits of movement, asdescribed,) while the carriage and path are moved back and forth as apreferable means of changing the position of the animal with referenceto the surrounding objects, or of two or more animals with reference toeach other.

In the accompanying drawings my apparatus is described with reference toa horserace; but without material change the apparatus can be fixed sothat the precise effect of a boat-race or other contest of speed may besuccessfully represented in so far as the effect of the progressivemovement and the alternation in position of the participants isconcerned; and I do not limit myself to the particular device for thespecific purpose-that is, a horse-race-that is herein illustrated.

I claim as my invention 1. In combination with amovable carriage locatedon a stage-floor, the endless path borne on the carriage, the rope orlike fiexible connection from the carriage to a windlass and extendingfrom opposite ends of said carriage over guides or pulleys, the guidesor pulleys, and the means, as a wind lass, for producing an intermittentreciprocating movement of the carriage, all substantially as described.I

2. In combination with a stage-floor having an opening therethrough, amovable carriage located in the opening and movable along its supports,the endless path borne on said carriage, a standard fixed to thecarriage, and the means, substantially as described, for' moving thesaid carriage back and forth along the'opening, substantially asdescribed.

3. In combination with a number of carriages supported on tracks orrunways and adapted to move thereon, the standards or like means ofattachment of an animal fixed to each carriage, the endless path orapron borne on the carriage, and the means, substantially as described,for moving the several carriages, all as and for the .purpose specified.

4. In combination with a stage-floor having an opening therethrough, acarriage located in the opening and movable along its supports, thestandard fixed to the carriage, the endless path borne on the carriage,the flexible apron fast to the carriage and passing over a support nearone end of the opening, the apron-support, and the means for moving thecarriage back and forth along the opening, all substantially asdescribed.

5. In combination with a stage-floor, a movable carriage supportedthereon, an endless path borne on said carriage, means for imparting anintermittent movement to the carriage, and the background scene, allsubstantially as described.

6. In combination, in a stage-setting, the compound panoramic scenes ofunequal heights and adapted to be moved at different rates of speed, allsubstantially as described.

7. In combination with a stage, the background or like stage-setting, acarriage movable back and forth on said stage, the horizontal endlesspath borne on said carriage and independent of any connection with thecarriage-propelling mechanism, all substantially as described.

8. In combination with a'stage-fioor, a movable carriage located thereonand movable along its supports, the endless path borne on said carriage,and means, substantially as set forth, for moving the carriage back andforth, substantially as described.

. JAMES W. KNELL. Witnesses:

P. T. TURNER, DAVID TOWERS.

